Cloudy Day, Big Bear Lake -a plein air painting from Big Bear, CA.

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info Just got back from a beach camping trip, so here I'm finally posting the last of my Big Bear paintings. I got rained on a bit during this one, but I enjoyed it! Holding an umbrella in my left hand slows me down, but that might be a good thing. I have two paintings from Crystal Cove I'm anxious to post next, but in the meanwhile Just Plein Fun on Balboa Island starts Monday! I'm so thrilled to have been invited! I'll be on the Island or in the Fun Zone painting from Monday through Saturday. The two hour "Brush Off" competition is from 4-6 Saturday on Marine Avenue, followed by the Artists Reception and Awards at the Debra Huse Gallery. For more info, click here.

Wagon

oil 12x9 inches magnify/purchase info Nobody was home in these cabins just a few doors down from where we were staying. I walked down with my afternoon iced coffee and parked myself under the pines. What a nice rustic scene.

Boulder Bay -a plein air oil painting from Big Bear Lake, CA

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info I made adjustments in the studio to enhance atmosphere and light. I lightened up the value of the distant mountain and grayed the color to push it back in space. I warmed up the shadow sides of rocks a bit, and added light and warmth to the lit surfaces. Sorry about the wet paint glare in the upper right.

Painting At Boulder Bay

Next day at Big Bear Lake granddaughter Emily (9) and I went out to Boulder Bay. It was Emily's second time painting outdoors. She finished two small acrylics and waited for me to finish this 9x12. Then we headed off to lunch. I'm going to make some adjustments on this one in the studio. IN OTHER NEWS: Just Plein Fun is coming up very soon on Balboa Island. I'm so grateful to have been invited to participate in this event! If you're in So Cal check it out! I love painting on the island, and this time I'll be joining some outstanding fellow artists.

Big Bear Lake From North Shore -a plein air painting from Big Bear Lake -SOLD.

oil 8x10 inches magnify/purchase info Last month I joined my daughter, granddaughter and friends for a scrapbooking weekend at Big Bear Craft Cottage. Each day I went out to paint and played with watercolors in the evening. If you quilt, craft, scrapbook, etc., check out Big Bear Craft Cottage. This painting was from the first day when my navigation led me to the wrong house! I sat waiting for others to arrive, but when they didn't show, I got Starbucks and went off to paint. I finally did get to the right house about dinnertime. Whew! More Big Bear paintings coming up next post. The watercolor sketch below is from the weekend before, camping at Idyllwild Pine Cove. These boulders were right in our campsite. With our kids and grandkids we enjoyed hiking, fishing, horseback riding, archery and the pool. The best part was just being together enjoying nature. A short lull in the action one afternoon allowed me to sit down and sketch a bit. I hope you're enjoying your summer!

Bed, Bath & Beyond

oil on canvas panel 9x12 inches

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This mountain cabin is in Big Bear. It appeared just as I've painted it, with all the "facilities" out in the front yard. Well, the bed is on the side, but still. I could have straightened the stump, but the pot threatening to slide off kinda fit with all the rest. For me, the appeal of this subject was lots to look at, plus the dappled light. I slowed way down, purposed to leave my brushstrokes alone, and painted it in two sessions.

Boulder Bay & About "Plein Air"

oil on canvas panel 9x12 inches

For this, the last of my studies at Big Bear, I started at 4:30 pm. Boulder Bay is probably one of the most beautiful scenes at the lake. The conditions were changing very quickly. For the last forty-five minutes I was literally blinded by the light off the water, and had to try to remember what it looked like when I started. The wind increased too, which set my teeth to chattering and the rest of me shivering uncontrollably. I should have known. The lake is around 7000 ft. elevation, so I learned to bring warm gear next time, even in July.

The current issue of PleinAir Magazine contains a thought provoking article by executive director of the Irvine Museum, Jean Stern. Titled "Plein Air Painting: A Vehicle, Not a Destination, the article contains some history of outdoor painting, but more importantly the argument that these little studies should be just that, studies for larger studio works which properly portray nature's majesty and grandeur. Makes a lot of sense to me. If you're an outdoor painter, you should read this article. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if you do.

Tree Study

(Bottom is yesterday's post, photographed in a different lighting situation. Does it look better?)

oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches

This tree is my next little study on the second day painting at Big Bear. I love trees. Been known to hug 'em. The first two studies were similar scenes, so I wanted to mix it up a bit and do something simpler. Not sure it turned out simple, but it was a good experience. I used a round brush, thin washes of paint and held the brush way at the end for more gestural strokes. Different and fun.

Meadows Edge

oil on canvas panel 6x8 inches

Meadows Edge Picnic Area had everything for a great morning painting session: shade, solitude, water, trees and even a low wooden platform for my gear. I decided I had tried to paint too fast the day before, so made a point to slow down and just enjoy myself. I toned my canvas with red, decided to leave out some bushes and grass clumps, and mix calmer greens. The long grass in the foreground had been trampled flat and shone in the sun. Not sure I captured that, but I had fun trying. I laid the painting on the wood platform for the photo...instant frame!

Cypress Point, Big Bear, CA

Wildflowers are blooming! These look like sweet peas.

oil on canvas panel 8x10 inches

Wow! There is so much to paint up here at Big Bear Lake. Got to the lakeside fairly early and the sun was still low, backlighting this beautiful cypress. There are some aspects of it I like, but I still have a lot to learn. While I'm painting I often think, "Isn't this just a gigantic still life? You can paint still life, why can't you paint this?" The weather's in the 70's, I'm not even being eaten by bugs or bears. There's no excuse. I've GOT to learn to simplify. I know it, but can't do it...YET.